Beaver/N. Canadian E ILF Stream & Wetland Mitigation Site 1 - Grave Creek
McIntosh County, Oklahoma
The Grave Creek Mitigation Site is Terra Foundation's first approved mitigation site within the Beaver/North Canadian E Service Area. This mitigation site is being constructed in two phases. The first phase is a 100-acre mitigation site along Grave Creek and its tributaries. The site compensates for authorized impacts to wetlands and streams throughout the Deep Fork Watershed (HUC 11100303) in central Oklahoma.
This mitigation site was significantly altered by channelizing and impounding multiple tributaries for agricultural use. An agricultural levee was also constructed along Grave Creek that has reduced floodplain connectivity throughout the site. In addition, much of the riparian corridor was removed and converted to agricultural pasture and is significantly impaired by invasive species.
To address the impairments at the site, a number of restoration efforts are being undertaken, including:
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Restoration, enhancement, and preservation of 70 acres of riparian and upland buffers.
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Restoration of over an acre of forested wetlands.
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Enhancement of an additional acre of forested and emergent wetlands.
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Improved floodplain connectivity on Grave Creek by breaching the farm levee in multiple locations.
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Restoring two channelized tributaries by breaching a farm pond and restoring natural channel dimensions and sinuosity.
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